A “Good Daddy Campaign 2026” was held in Mahipur of Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali to raise awareness against child marriage and child labor. The campaign was organized by Good Neighbors Bangladesh’s Kalapara Community Development Project (CDP).

The program was held at 3:00 pm on Monday (September 14) at the auditorium of Mahipur Cooperative Secondary School.

The campaign aimed to create long-term awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage, encourage fathers to play an active role in preventing child marriage, raise awareness among families and communities about child labor, and promote public awareness about the proper implementation of laws and regulations concerning child labor.

The program began with the registration and arrival of fathers, girls, guests and CDP officials. The guests were then welcomed and the participating fathers were formally greeted.

In her welcome speech, Good Neighbors Bangladesh Kalapara CDP Assistant Manager (Program) Jharna Khatun discussed child rights and protection, the harmful effects of child marriage, prevention of child labor, government and private-sector initiatives, and the importance of girls’ education.

Speakers at the event said the family plays the most important role in ensuring a child’s safe future. In particular, if fathers become more aware of their daughters’ education, health, safety and rights, child marriage can be significantly reduced. They said child marriage not only interrupts a child’s education but also negatively affects physical and mental development.

They urged families to view girls not as a burden but as valuable members of society and to provide them with opportunities to develop their potential.

The fathers attending the event pledged to act responsibly toward their daughters, ensure that they continue their education and protect them from child marriage.

They also read and signed a “Pledge Against Child Marriage,” promising that, in accordance with existing laws and child rights, they would not marry off their daughters before they reach the age of 18 under any circumstances.

The fathers further pledged to ensure their daughters’ physical, mental, social and intellectual development and create a supportive environment for their education, health, safety, moral development and future aspirations.

A pledge-taking ceremony was later held, led by Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md. Moniruzzaman Khan. The daughters also greeted their fathers with flowers, adding a special touch to the event.

At the end of the program, three selected “Good Daddies” were awarded prizes in recognition of their positive roles in ensuring girls’ education, safety and rights.

The organizers said government initiatives alone are not enough to prevent child marriage and child labor. Families, educational institutions, local representatives, social organizations and people from all sections of society must work together. They emphasized that the active involvement of fathers is particularly important to keep girls in education and ensure their safe future.

The organizers expressed hope that the campaign would strengthen positive attitudes among families in the Mahipur area toward preventing child marriage and child labor and promoting girls’ education.

Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md. Moniruzzaman Khan attended the event as the chief guest.

Special guests included Mahipur Sadar Union Parishad Panel Chairman and President of Good Neighbors Kalapara CDC Md. Ibrahim Khan; Mahipur Cooperative Secondary School Headteacher Bani Kanta Sikder; Kuakata Reporters Unity President and Vice President of Good Neighbors Kalapara CDC Mizanur Rahman Ripon; CDC member and social worker Ayub Akon Firoz; and CDC member and English teacher at Mahipur Cooperative Secondary School Raisul Islam Shepherd.

Representatives of girls and fathers, along with other concerned individuals, were also present.

The event was presided over by Jharna Khatun, Assistant Manager of Good Neighbors Bangladesh Kalapara CDP. It was moderated by Pankaj Kumar Biswas, Senior Program Manager (Health) of the organization’s Kalapara CDP.

Cooperative Finance Officer Md. Rezaul Karim was responsible for public relations and coordination, while Program Officer Simon Baroi handled the overall management and reporting of the event.